Written Answers Thursday 3 March 2011

Scottish Executive

Cancer

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the cancer drugs fund proposed for England will produce an imbalance in equality of access to cancer drugs between Scotland and England and, if so, what action it will take.

Nicola Sturgeon: Decisions regarding the introduction of new medicines are taken by each of the UK countries through their own appraisal arrangements in line with established national priorities.

  Scotland’s independent and robust arrangements for the appraisal of newly licensed medicines focus on patients in Scotland having equitable access to clinically and cost-effective medicines to treat all conditions, not just those to treat cancer. This seeks to maintain a focus on equity across all conditions and throughout all parts of Scotland.

  The Scottish Government will give due consideration to the outcome of the Department of Health’s consultation on the Cancer Drugs Fund when further information becomes available.

Cancer

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with medical defence organisations regarding negligence claims in relation to cancer diagnosis in each of the last two years.

Nicola Sturgeon: There have been no discussions between the Scottish Government and any medical defence organisations regarding medical negligence claims in relation to cancer diagnosis in the last two years.

Cancer

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding negligence claims in relation to cancer diagnosis in each of the last two years.

Nicola Sturgeon: There have been no discussions between the Scottish Government and NHS boards regarding medical negligence claims in relation to cancer diagnosis in the last two years.

Child Care

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many day care managers there are for children; how many have degrees, and how many of those who do not have degrees have more than (a) 10 and (b) 20 years’ experience as day care managers for children.

Adam Ingram: The number of managers of day care for children and their qualification levels are published on the Scottish Government website. The latest published data indicate there are 4670 managers of day care service and 34% hold a childcare qualification at degree level.

  This data is taken from Statistics Publication Notice: Education and Training Series: Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2010, published on 29 September 2010 (web only) at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/09/28130623/0.

  Information on the number of years experience of day care managers is not held centrally.

Child Protection

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what priority it is giving to the electronic recording and transfer of information between drug services and social work services regarding children in families where there is illicit drug use or where a family member is on treatment for drug misuse, as part of ensuring that Getting it Right for Every Child is implemented.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government’s key priority is to promote best practice for information sharing where appropriate and which electronic systems should support. The national practice model under Getting it Right promotes the culture, practice and system changes needed to secure such best practice.

  The newly revised child protection guidance also includes best practice guidance around improved information sharing and practices within and across agencies that is based on the Getting it Right approach where children are at particular risk.

  The eCare framework also supports multi-agency sharing of child protection messages where appropriate. We continue to work with partner agencies to develop an application to support national electronic information sharing, not a national database, in respect of all children about whom there are concerns and to do so in a way which respects privacy and confidentiality.

Children and Young People

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with the UK Government regarding the conclusions of the report, Setting the Scene for Scotland's Disabled Children .

Adam Ingram: Setting the Scene: A Map of Disabled Children in Scotland was published in December 2010 by the For Scotland’s Disabled Children Liaison project, which in developing the project consulted widely with stakeholders concerned with the children’s disability sector in Scotland. Setting the Scene lays out a range of data specific to Scottish disabled children and the services they and their families use, and is a live ongoing resource. Given the Scottish focus of this work the UK Government was not directly consulted, but is nonetheless aware of this work at official level.

Children and Young People

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the UK Government to discuss the report, Setting the Scene for Scotland's Disabled Children .

Adam Ingram: Setting the Scene: A Map of Disabled Children in Scotland was published in December 2010 by the For Scotland’s Disabled Children Liaison project, which in developing the project consulted widely with stakeholders concerned with the children’s disability sector in Scotland. Setting the Scene lays out a range of data specific to Scottish disabled children and the services they and their families use, and is a live ongoing resource. There are no current plans to discuss the report with representatives of the UK Government.

Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 was laid before the Parliament.

Kenny MacAskill: Yes. Ahead of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 coming into force on 26 February 2011, I wrote to Duncan McNeil MSP, convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee to provide a copy of the guidance. My officials also provided copies of the guidance to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52521) to make the guidance available for members.

Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive where members of the public can access its guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.

Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Government guidance to local authorities in relation to the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 can be accessed through the Scottish Government’s website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/control-dogs.

  The Control of Dogs Act webpage was published ahead of the act coming into force.

Culture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has had with Highland Council regarding the future of the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music.

John Swinney: I have not discussed this issue with Highland Council but the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has and he clearly indicated his determination to achieve a successful outcome here.

Dentistry

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental therapists were recruited and trained in NHS Highland in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental therapists were recruited and trained in NHS Grampian in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental therapists were (a) recruited and (b) trained in NHS Orkney in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009 and (iv) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental therapists were (a) recruited and (b) trained in NHS Western Isles in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009 and (iv) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental therapists were (a) recruited and (b) trained in NHS Shetland in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009 and (iv) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Shona Robison: The information requested on the recruitment of dental therapists by NHS boards is not centrally held.

  NHS boards assist with training dental hygienists/therapists through facilitating direct clinical experience with NHS patients. Information on the number of dental hygienists/therapists admitted to a course within the Highlands and Islands area is provided in the following table:

  

 
NHS Grampian
NHS Highland
NHS Orkney
NHS Shetland
NHS Western Isles


2007
0
0
0
0
0


2008
0
8
0
0
0


2009
0
8
0
0
0


2010
0
8
0
0
2



  Source: NHS Education for Scotland.

  NHS Highland assists with the delivery of a University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) course. The UHI dental school opened in 2008 and has not yet matriculated students in 2011. There is an intake of eight students per year for this course based in Inverness.

  NHS Western Isles has a new dental centre in Stornoway, which, opened this month. This centre hosts two students undertaking the UHI course, which are in addition to the eight based in Inverness.

Health

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason transcatheter aortic valve implantation is not routinely available to patients in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government’s Quality Strategy commits us to ensure that healthcare services are not only person-centred, but also effective and safe.

  While there has been considerable interest in Scotland in the potential adoption of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), this is a new technology the introduction of which requires expert opinion. NHSScotland’s National Planning Forum (NPF) has therefore performed a comprehensive review of TAVI, looking at the technology’s efficacy and safety, its cost and service design requirements, and potential future demand.

  The NPF has concluded that there is insufficient evidence, at this point in time, to support a recommendation that a TAVI service should be established in Scotland, on the basis that long term outcomes are unknown, there is only limited evidence of clinical efficacy and no evidence of cost effectiveness. The position is endorsed by the review of the available clinical and cost effectiveness evidence carried out by the Scottish Health Technologies Group.

  I have therefore decided to accept this expert advice, but on the clear understanding that the position must be reviewed no later than in one year’s time, or sooner, should further evidence become available. I have asked that relevant clinicians are fully involved in the review of this evidence.

  NHS boards will continue to ensure that local arrangements are in place so that people with severe aortic stenosis get access to appropriate clinical treatment. As part of those arrangements, it will still be possible for potential TAVI patients and their doctors to apply, through individual patient treatment request panels, for a consideration of their clinical case.

Health

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gives to NHS boards on the treatment and care of patients who are suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) provides information to NHS boards on the clinical and cost effectiveness of existing and new technologies to support planning and decision making.

  The most recent advice to NHS boards on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was issued by the Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) on 5 August 2010. The SHTG advice statement noted that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not recommended for use for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis. The statement can be accessed at:

  http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/TAVI_AdviceStatement_050810.pdf.

  The Making Difficult Decisions in NHS Boards in Scotland report, published in March 2010, gives NHS boards outline guidance on managing individual patient decisions in relation to both medicines and technology.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its approach is to ensuring that cascade screening in the NHS for familial hyercholesterolaemia is being fully implemented once a family member is diagnosed with this condition.

Nicola Sturgeon: Our Better Heart Disease and Stroke Care Action Plan (June 2009) sets out actions designed to ensure that people with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) are identified as soon as possible and receive the treatment they need, in order to minimise the risk of complications.

  The action plan also highlights the importance of cascade screening for FH, as endorsed by the National Screening Committee. Implementation of that approach is being taken forward through the NHS QIS Standards for Heart Disease, published in April 2010. One of the essential criteria in Standard 4 (Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease) is "Individuals who are relatives of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia are identified through cascade testing and managed in line with current national guidelines". We expect NHS boards to provide services that meet these standards.

Health

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the supply of eculizumab for treating paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria is funded.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards are expected to manage costs for the treatment of particular conditions from their overall board funding allocation.

Health

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason treatment with eculizumab for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haeamoglobinuria is not funded in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland has robust, equitable and transparent arrangements for the introduction of newly licensed and cost-effective medicines to treat all conditions, including those to treat rare conditions, through the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. These bodies operate independently from the Scottish Government and are widely acknowledged to be robust.

  The SMC has appraised Soliris (eculizumab) for use in NHSScotland to treat paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) but, as the holder of the marketing authorisation did not supply any economic analysis in their submission, the SMC was unable to recommend it for use in NHSScotland. Where a drug has not been recommended by the SMC, NHS boards have arrangements in place to facilitate clinically-led requests for medicines on a case-by-case basis for individual patients which, if supported, would be funded by the NHS board.

Health

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what services NHSScotland provides for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haeamoglobinuria and whether the Scottish Government will make a statement on this matter.

Nicola Sturgeon: Services for Scottish patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria are provided by the designated UK specialist centre in Leeds and an outreach clinic is provided by Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire. This outreach clinic is run by the specialist from Leeds with support from local haematology consultant staff in Lanarkshire. NHSScotland funds the service through the NHS National Services Division (NSD).

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the transparency of the Scottish Medicines Consortium’s decision-making process for ultra-orphan medicines and the amount of information made available when modifiers have been used as part of its appraisal process.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) operates independently from the Scottish Government. Details about the nature of the SMC processes are available at:

  http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk.

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Medicines Consortium incorporates its modifiers into the health-economic case for ultra-orphan medicines and what importance it gives these in the final decision-making process.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) operates independently from the Scottish Government. Details about the nature of the SMC processes are available at:

  http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk

Health

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria are treated with eculizumab.

Nicola Sturgeon: Seven Scottish patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria are currently treated with eculizumab through the UK designated specialist service, which provides an outreach clinic in Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire.

Health

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards provide funding for eculizumab for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

Nicola Sturgeon: Eculizumab is not recommended by the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use within NHSScotland. As a result, each individual case needs to be considered by the host NHS board according to the specific needs of each individual patient.

  Information is available for Scottish patients in the care of the UK designated specialist service at the outreach clinic in Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire. At present, eculizumab has been approved for the treatment of individual patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria in five areas - NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS boards are implementing the clinical standards for neurological services.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) has developed a two year programme of work with NHS boards and key stakeholders to bring about improvements in neurological services. We have provided the boards with funding of some £450,000 this financial year to assist them in developing neurological Managed Clinical Networks as the vehicle for local service improvements.

  On 4 February 2010, the Scottish Government Health Delivery Directorate issued CEL 3 (2010), which provided NHS boards with the outputs of the work of a Neurological Task and Finish Group. The letter asks boards to use these materials, in conjunction with the NHS QIS standards, to continue to develop their local neurological services action plans.

  By summer 2010, all NHS boards had completed a self evaluation against the first four, generic, standards. Their self evaluation against the condition-specific standards was completed in January 2011, and the results are currently being analysed by NHS QIS. This has helped to identify the issues on which NHS QIS needs to focus the support it provides to boards.

  NHS QIS is also arranging a series of events between March and June 2011 linked to implementation of the condition-specific standards, in collaboration with the Neurological Alliance of Scotland. These provide an opportunity for delegates to gain a greater understanding of the priorities for people living with neurological conditions, as well as helping boards continue to develop their neurological services action plans. NHS QIS is also running a series of improvement clinics, by teleconference, to provide further support to NHS boards’ neurological improvement leads.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor alcohol and drug partnerships to ensure that punitive discharge of users receiving treatment is not used as a way to free up places for new users in order to meet HEAT targets for drugs and alcohol.

Nicola Sturgeon: The success of the HEAT A11 drug and alcohol waiting times target is reliant on cooperation from alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) and services from the health, local government and voluntary sectors. NHS boards, working with relevant partners, will be held to account for delivery of the target via existing NHS performance management structures.

  It is the responsibility of local services to have protocols in place for managing access to their services and the safe and not punitive discharge of clients from waiting lists. The HEAT A11 target is firmly embedded within the wider landscape of recovery, where the focus is on the individual and what is appropriate for their recovery journey.

  The new drug and alcohol treatment waiting times database, currently being rolled out for full implementation by 1 April 2011, will monitor discharge types and highlight individuals who are being discharged prior to receiving assessment or treatment. This information will be reviewed at national level for performance management and quality assurance purposes.

  The alcohol brief interventions target relates to early interventions for hazardous and harmful drinkers. Individuals receive this opportunistic intervention as part of their initial contact with a service, therefore are not within the scope of the access to treatment target.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence has been collected on national enhanced services in primary care that demonstrates the objective of shifting care from secondary to primary services.

Nicola Sturgeon: We do not collect information nationally which measures shifts in the balance of care in relation to the various national enhanced service programmes. Shifts in the balance of care are a means to an end which is better outcomes measured via HEAT targets, the Community Care Outcomes Framework and other strategic priorities contained in various strategies. NHS boards are responsible for deciding on the areas for improvement in line with the policy we set out in 2009 which was agreed with COSLA and for making the necessary changes to deliver agreed outcomes.

Health

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the financial cost to the NHS of knife crime since May 2007.

Nicola Sturgeon: No information is held on the financial cost to the NHS of knife crime.

Healthcare Associated Infection

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry will be concluded.

Nicola Sturgeon: Lord MacLean, Chairman of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry, has written to me requesting an extension to the Inquiry as he considers that it will not be possible for him to produce a comprehensive and robust report within the current timescales.

  I have not yet agreed this further extension and discussions with Lord MacLean continue. As soon as a date for publishing the final report has been agreed, I will inform the Parliament.

Higher Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the attrition rate has been for each of the last three cohorts of (a) adult, (b) mental health and (c) child nursing courses (i) at the University of Dundee and (ii) in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The attrition rate for each of the last three cohorts of pre-registration adult, mental health and child nursing programmes at the University of Dundee, and for all of the Scottish higher education institutions is as detailed in the following tables:

  University of Dundee:

  

Nursing Group
Cohort Year
Cohort Size
Current Rate



Adult
2004-05
364
38.1%


2005-06
351
36.1%


2006-07*
176
37.6%


Mental Health
2004-05
73
31.9%


2005-06
75
36.1%


2006-07*
41
20.0%


Children
2004-05
30
33.3%


2005-06
30
7.1%


2006-07*
23
25.0%



  Scotland:

  

Nursing Group
Cohort Year
Cohort Size
Current Rate



Adult
2004-05
2,150
29.3%


2005-06
2,154
30.7%


2006-07*
1,969
33.9%


Mental Health
2004-05
481
27.8%


2005-06
470
30.7%


2006-07*
462
29.3%


Children
2004-05
78
23.4%


2005-06
165
26.7%


2006-07*
162
26.2%



  Note: *2006-07 This figure could improve as some students may still complete the course within the required five years.

Higher Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the attrition rate for midwifery students has been in each of the last three cohorts for which information is available (a) at the University of Dundee and (b) in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The attrition rate for each of the last three cohorts of pre-registration midwifery programmes at the University of Dundee, and across the Scottish Higher Education Institutions is as detailed in the following tables:

  University of Dundee:

  

 
Cohort Year
Cohort Size
Current Rate



Midwifery
2004-05
22
22.7%


2005-06
24
28.6%


2006-07*
24
53.8%



  Scotland:

  

 
Cohort Year
Cohort Size
Current Rate



Midwifery
2004-05
176
23.7%


2005-06
172
26.7%


2006-07*
172
29.0%



  Note: *2006-07 This figure could improve as some students may still complete the course within the required five years.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offenders breached the terms of their probation order in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: Information is not collected on the number of proven breaches or the number of offenders involved.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers knitting, embroidering and making candles to be (a) appropriate activities to be completed as part of community payback orders and (b) examples of tough manual labour as noted by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the news release, Greater say on community service , on 1 February 2011.

Kenny MacAskill: Community payback is about offenders paying their dues to the community. That is why we announced that the new community payback order makes it a statutory obligation that local authorities will from now on have to consult the community on the type of work that they want to see low-level offenders carrying out in their areas as part of their community service.

  In this particular instance, this case related to a vulnerable women’s group, with finished articles going to the neo-natal unit at the local hospital.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the appropriateness of an offender’s time spent on tea breaks being counted toward the number of hours served under a community payback order.

Kenny MacAskill: The guidance on this issue is exactly the same as it was under the previous administration. The reference can be found at section 49.4 of the National Objectives for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System: Standards - Community Service published by the previous administration on 24 December 2004 at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/12/20475/49352.

Justice

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the national standards for social enquiry reports include a requirement to assess the impact on children.

Kenny MacAskill: Revised guidance on criminal justice social work reports was published on the Scottish Government website on 24 December 2010 at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/925/0110144.pdf.

  Section 6 of the guidance requires report writers to assess the potential impact of all relevant sentencing options, including custody, on the individual’s family including on his or her children.

Local Government Finance

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Argyll and Bute Council regarding continuing concerns about its funding allocation for 2011-12.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government regularly discusses local government finance issues with COSLA on behalf of all local authorities.

  Following recent discussions with COSLA on the distribution of the former ring-fenced Supporting People funding, I announced, as part of the debate on the 2011-12 Scottish Budget on 9 February 2011, that I intend to allocate an additional £5 million to help smooth the impact of the redistribution of this funding within the 2011-12 local government finance settlement. Argyll and Bute Council will receive an extra £1.3 million of the £5 million as they lost the most proportionately from the revised distribution.

Mental Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what role community pharmacists have in managing the medication of patients with a long-term mental health condition as part of the new long-term conditions prescribing system.

Nicola Sturgeon: All eligible patients who have a long-term condition can register for the Chronic Medication Service (CMS). The service aims to support patients to manage their medicines and a pharmaceutical care plan is undertaken with patients where appropriate. GPs will be able to generate serial prescriptions for patients registered for CMS. In all cases, whether a patient’s condition is suitable for a serial prescription will be a matter of clinical judgement by the GP prescriber.

NHS Hospitals

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the heating has broken down at the surgical block of the Southern General Hospital in each year since May 2007.

Nicola Sturgeon: The heating within the surgical block of the Southern General Hospital has broken down once in each of the following years: 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. I have been assured that on each of these occasions, efforts were made to restore supply as quickly as possible, and contingency measures were in place for the interim period such as the provision of stand alone heaters and additional blankets.

  It should also be remembered that this Government is investing £842 million in the New Southern General Hospital. This entirely publicly-funded project, which is Scotland’s biggest ever new hospital development, will see a 1,109-bed adult hospital integrated with a 256-bed children's hospital, providing maternity, paediatric, acute and support services on a single site.

NHS Staff

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS boards have placed a ban on hiring agency staff and, if so, how this is affecting service delivery.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Boards are not banned from hiring agency staff.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards are negotiating compromise agreements with staff.

Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.

NHS Staff

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many clinical nurse specialists for lupus there are, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialists (HCNS) care for patients with Lupus and their numbers are as detailed in the following table:

  

NHS Board
NHS Lothian
NHS Tayside
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
NHS Lanarkshire


HCNS
2
1
5
2



  It is of course for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements, including specialist nurses, based on the clinical needs of the population and service developments in their area.

National Health Service

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) NHSScotland and (b) its agencies have paid for legal services in each of the last five years and what firms provided the services.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not collect information on the level of spend by NHSScotland and its agencies on legal services.

  However, the answer to question S3W-39382 on 3 March 2011 includes details of legal fees paid by NHS boards in the last five years.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

National Health Service

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much each (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership has spent on legal fees in each of the last five years.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not collect information on how much NHS boards or Community Health Partnerships spend on legal fees. However, National Services Scotland’s Central Legal Office (CLO) provides NHSScotland with legal advice and assistance in every area of law relevant to the health service including employment, litigation, commercial contracts and commercial property, and endowments. The following table sets out the costs for the legal fees provided by CLO to NHS boards:

  

NHS Board
2005-06 £’000
2006-07 £’000
2007-08 £’000
2008-09 £’000
2009-10 £’000


*Argyll and Clyde
283.6
180.2
n/a
n/a
n/a


Ayrshire and  Arran
188.8
311.6
339.7
354.9
248.2


Borders
57.3
112.8
83.3
97.8
85.8


Dumfries and Galloway
158.8
143.7
150.5
199.0
177.6


Fife
210.2
200.7
167.4
226.6
239.3


Forth Valley
144.6
207.9
153.7
201.9
213.3


Grampian
324.6
261.1
288.1
292.4
279.1


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
740.0
847.8
1,191.5
1,279.0
1,335.5


Highland
167.2
162.3
280.3
231.8
237.5


Lanarkshire
360.8
357.5
364.9
372.7
487.8


Lothian
564.5
700.5
695.5
847.2
815.2


Orkney
10.2
19.6
16.5
19.2
19.9


Shetland
39.2
37.8
20.5
26.9
58.2


Tayside
325.6
381.9
381.2
373.2
318.2


Western Isles
24.8
35.6
32.5
35.3
34.5


NHS 24 
74.6
34.5
80.1
71.5
106.2


NHS Education Scotland
27.2
22.6
36.5
44.5
41.7


NHS Health Scotland
22.1
40.0
18.0
16.4
21.0


National Services Scotland
601.7
601.0
489.6
668.7
857.2


State Hospital
49.7
34.0
31.7
21.1
18.6


National Waiting Time Centre
18.0
18.2
23.3
26.6
29.9


Quality Improvement Scotland
22.2
22.2
37.8
15.4
23.8


Scottish Ambulance Service
107.3
118.8
97.2
157.9
158.7


Total 
4,523.0
4,852.3
4,979.8
5,580.0
5,807.2



  Source: NHS National Services Scotland.

  Note: *From 2007-08 costs were subsumed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patient safety incidents were reported in the NHS between 2007 and 2010 involving loading dose errors.

Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.

National Health Service

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require NHS boards to use nationally agreed nursing workforce and workload planning tools and produce detailed clinical assessment plans before plans are agreed and implemented.

Nicola Sturgeon: We will continue to encourage NHS boards to use workforce and workload planning tools when undertaking workforce planning to produce detailed clinical assessment plans. The boards then use this information to decide the service provision required to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of the population.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36623 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 October 2010, how many (a) bed days were lost and (b) procedures were cancelled due to ward closures due to hospital-acquired infection in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10.

Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS boards. The information requested is not held centrally.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what national enhanced services are undertaken by GP practices in each NHS board area.

Nicola Sturgeon: The following table records the NHS boards and the National Enhanced Services undertaken in 2009-10.

  

National Enhanced Service
Ayrshireand Arran
Borders
Dumfriesand Galloway
Fife
ForthValley
Grampian
Glasgow and Clyde


Anticoagulation Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
 
Yes
 


Near Patient Testing
Yes
Yes
Yes
 
Yes
Yes
Yes


Drug Misuse
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
Yes


Immediate/First Responder
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 


Homelessness
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Minor Injuries
Yes
Yes
 
 
Yes
Yes
 


Intrapartum care
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Multiple Sclerosis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


IUCD Contraception
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
 
 
Yes


*Sexual Health 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


*Alcohol Misuse
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


*Depression
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



  

National Enhanced Service
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Tayside


Anticoagulation Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Yes
 


Near Patient Testing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes


Drug Misuse
Yes
 
Yes
Yes


Immediate/First Responder
Yes
 
 
 


Homelessness
 
 
 
 


Minor Injuries
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes


Intrapartum care
Yes
 
 
 


Multiple Sclerosis 
Yes
 
 
 


IUCD Contraception
Yes
Yes
 
Yes


*Sexual Health 
 
 
 
 


*Alcohol Misuse
 
 
 
 


*Depression
 
 
 
 



  Note: NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland Isles and NHS Western Isles have not supplied the relevant information. The National Enhanced Services marked * were actioned by NHS Boards under the current Scottish Enhanced Services Programme (SESP).

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to the NHS has been of national enhanced services in the last two years for which information is available.

Nicola Sturgeon: The cost to the NHS for national enhanced services in the last two years for which information is available is as follows:

  

 
Scotland


 
£000


2008-09
12,887


2009-10
13,387



  This information is taken from the annual accounts of NHS Boards.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the NHS of each national enhanced service (NES) in the last two years for which information is available; in how many cases the fee included a per-patient element, and how many patient fees were paid for each NES.

Nicola Sturgeon: The cash paid to the NHS for each national enhanced service (NES) in the last two years for which information is available (2008-09 and 2009-10) is as follows:

  

NES Name
2008-09
2009-10


£
£


Alcohol Misuse
248,440
180,992


Anti-coagulation Monitoring
2,796,895
2,882,309


IUCD Contraception
673,993
720,589


Depression
762,417
208,461


Drug Misuse
2,738,132
2,940,057


Homelessness
53,754
83,316


Immediate / First Responder
31,581
37,156


Intra Partum Care
12,593
6,800


Minor Injuries
703,738
741,623


Multiple Sclerosis
37,706
33,283


Near Patient Testing
3,061,212
3,582,123


Sexual Health
133,870
84,099


Total
11,254,331
11,500,808



  Notes:

  Each NES apart from Immediate / First Responder included a per patient element.

  The number of per patient fees paid for each NES is not held centrally.

  The above information is supplied by Practitioner Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland and is as per payments administered by them.

  The cash amount will differ from the expenditure amount recorded in NHS boards annual accounts which is not available at individual NES level.

  NHS boards may have paid additional sums to other providers, or included in payments to S17C and S2C practices. Such sums are not included in the table.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each national enhanced service, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) 1,000 population, in the last two years for which information is available.

Nicola Sturgeon: The cash paid for each national enhanced service broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) 1,000 population is as follows:

  (a) Cash Paid for Each National Enhanced Service (NES) Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2008-09:

  

NHS Board
Alcohol Misuse £
Anti-Coagulation Monitoring £
IUCD Contraception £
Depression £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
208,928
188,897
0


Borders
0
125,747
18,757
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
210,889
29,625
0


Fife
0
352,666
85,448
0


Forth Valley
0
500,700
104,050
0


Grampian
0
0
66,973
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
241,674
497,870
92,416
694,162


Highland
0
299,337
63,391
68,255


Lanarkshire
0
523,031
22,215
0


Lothian
0
20,333
0
0


Orkney
0
2,434
734
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
0
0
(484)
0


Western Isles
6,766
54,960
1,971
0



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 Population, Financial Year 2008-09:

  

NHS Board
Alcohol Misuse £
Anti-Coagulation Monitoring £
IUCD Contraception £
Depression £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
538
487
0


Borders
0
1,084
162
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
1,361
191
0


Fife
0
945
229
0


Forth Valley
0
1,631
339
0


Grampian
0
0
118
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
185
380
71
530


Highland
0
930
197
212


Lanarkshire
0
886
38
0


Lothian
0
23
0
0


Orkney
0
122
37
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
0
0
(1)
0


Western Isles
242
1,963
70
0



  Note: Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  (a) Cash Paid for Each National Enhanced Service (NES) Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2008-09:

  

NHS Board
Drug Misuse £
Homelessness £
Immediate / First Responder £
Intra Partum Care £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
0
0


Borders
0
0
0
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
11,621
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
1,388,636
47,554
0
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
393,769
6,200
0
0


Highland
60,459
0
0
11,774


Lanarkshire
895,268
0
0
0


Lothian
0
0
0
0


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
0
0
0
0


Western Isles
0
0
19,960
819



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 population, Financial Year 2008-09:

  

NHS Board
Drug Misuse £
Homelessness £
Immediate /First Responder £
Intra Partum Care £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
0
0


Borders
0
0
0
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
75
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
2,453
84
0
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
301
5
0
0


Highland
188
0
0
37


Lanarkshire
1,517
0
0
0


Lothian
0
0
0
0


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
0
0
0
0


Western Isles
0
0
713
29



  Note: Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  (a) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2008-09

  

NHS Board   
Minor Injuries £
Multiple Sclerosis £
Near Patient Testing £
Sexual Health Service £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
288,263
0


Borders
42,616
0
104,553
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
96,574
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
465,225
0


Grampian
0
0
636,869
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
261,986
37,706
360,734
75,451


Highland
265,731
0
575,020
0


Lanarkshire
0
0
304,507
0


Lothian
8,959
0
10,800
2,500


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
88,328
0
198,660
0


Western Isles
36,118
0
20,007
55,919



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 population, Financial Year 2008-09:

  

NHS Board   
Minor Injuries £
Multiple Sclerosis £
Near PatientTesting £
Sexual Health Service £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
743
0


Borders
367
0
901
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
623
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
1,515
0


Grampian
0
0
1,125
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
200
29
276
58


Highland
825
0
1,786
0


Lanarkshire
0
0
516
0


Lothian
10
0
12
3


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
213
0
479
0


Western Isles
1,290
0
715
1,997



  Note: Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  (a) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Alcohol Misuse £
Anti-Coagulation Monitoring £
IUCD Contraception £
Depression £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
232,748
124,451
0


Borders
0
140,477
24,589
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
218,836
35,702
0


Fife
0
387,021
73,068
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
522,724
193,245
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
0
128,914
87,592
0


Highland
174,332
296,048
84,194
208,461


Lanarkshire
0
186,124
75,291
0


Lothian
0
671,785
(3,668)
0


Orkney
0
19,733
16,730
0


Shetland
0
9,911
1,328
0


Tayside
0
0
0
0


Western Isles
6,660
67,988
8,067
0



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 population, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Alcohol Misuse £
Anti-Coagulation Monitoring £
IUCD Contraception £
Depression £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
600
321
0


Borders
0
1,211
212
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
1,403
229
0


Fife
0
1,035
195
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
917
339
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
0
98
67
0


Highland
541
919
261
647


Lanarkshire
0
315
127
0


Lothian
0
767
(4)
0


Orkney
0
987
837
0


Shetland
0
431
58
0


Tayside
0
0
0
0


Western Isles
247
2,518
299
0



  Note: Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  (a) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Drug Misuse £
Homelessness £
Immediate / First Responder £
Intra Partum Care £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
0
0


Borders
0
0
0
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
11,652
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
0
0
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
1,722,846
53,965
0
0


Highland
112,435
29,351
0
7,619


Lanarkshire
0
0
0
0


Lothian
1,098,976
0
0
0


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
5,800
0
0
0


Western Isles
0
0
25,504
(819)



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 population, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Drug Misuse £
Homelessness £
Immediate / First Responder £
Intra Partum Care £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
0
0


Borders
0
0
0
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
75
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
0
0
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
1,313
41
0
0


Highland
349
91
0
24


Lanarkshire
0
0
0
0


Lothian
1,255
0
0
0


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
0
0
0


Tayside
14
0
0
0


Western Isles
0
0
945
(30)



  Note: Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  (a) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Minor Injuries £
Multiple Sclerosis £
Near Patient Testing £
Sexual Health Service £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
335,259
0


Borders
41,443
0
113,974
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
104,177
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
0
474,406
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
0
0
1,025,361
0


Highland
219,507
33,283
176,009
1,790


Lanarkshire
296,454
0
555,339
0


Lothian
0
0
452,045
0


Orkney
8,854
0
9,917
18,744


Shetland
14,000
0
1,391
0


Tayside
118,833
0
307,266
0


Western Isles
42,532
0
26,979
63,565



  (b) Cash Paid for Each NES Broken Down by NHS Board, per 1,000 population, Financial Year 2009-10:

  

NHS Board
Minor Injuries £
Multiple Sclerosis £
Near Patient Testing £
Sexual Health Service £


Ayrshire and Arran
0
0
864
0


Borders
357
0
983
0


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
668
0


Fife
0
0
0
0


Forth Valley
0
0
0
0


Grampian
0
0
832
0


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
0
0
782
0


Highland
682
103
547
6


Lanarkshire
502
0
940
0


Lothian
0
0
516
0


Orkney
443
0
496
937


Shetland
609
0
60
0


Tayside
285
0
737
0


Western Isles
1,575
0
999
2,354



  Notes:

  Costs divided by the population registered with GP practices at 1 April in each financial year.

  Negative figures are recoveries of previous overpayments.

  In 2009-10, there is no cash paid for National Enhanced Services against NHS Forth Valley. This board has chosen not to contract on the basis of the NES specifications.

  This information is supplied by Practitioner Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland and is as per payments administered by them.

  NHS boards may have paid additional sums to other providers, or included in payments to S17C and S2C practices. Such sums are not included in the tables.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what local enhanced services in primary care were delivered by each NHS board in the last year for which information is available.

Nicola Sturgeon: The following table records the NHS boards and the local enhanced services undertaken in 2009-10.

  

Local Enhanced Service
Ayrshireand Arran
Borders
Dumfriesand Galloway
Fife
ForthValley
Grampian
Glasgow and Clyde


Care Homes (Nursing/Residential)
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
Yes
 


Care Homes (LD)
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 


Anticipatory Care – Plan/Prevent
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 


Lithium monitoring
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Alcohol Screen / B1
 
Yes
Yes
Yes
 
Yes
Yes


Contraception 
Yes
 
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes


GMS Impact
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


HepC / BBV
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


Closer Working 
Yes
 
 
 
 
Yes
Yes


Counterweight
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


Hand Hygiene 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


Helicobacter
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


HIB/MenC
Yes
 
Yes
 
 
 
 


HPV
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Keep Well
Yes
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


MMR catch up
Yes
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


Ring Pessary (fitting/maintenance)
Yes
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


Families at Risk
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tetanus / Diphtheria / polio
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 


Med Serve Shelthousing
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 


Orthopaedic
 
 
Yes
 
 
Yes
 


Pre Clinic Testing
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 


Drug Misusers / Shared Care
 
 
Yes
Yes
 
 
 


HDAT
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 


Eating Disorders
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 


Chronic Disease Management
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 


Renal Anaemia
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 


Cardiac Failure
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


Dermatology
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


MMS neonatal
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
 


Asylum Seekers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Diabetes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes



  

Local Enhanced Service 
Ayrshireand Arran
Borders
Dumfriesand Galloway
Fife
ForthValley
Grampian
Glasgow and Clyde


CHD
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Strokes / TIA
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Multiple Sclerosis
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Mumps
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Pre Chemo Phlebotomy 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Breast Screening
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes


Acute Warfarin Initiation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Child Protection
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Home Detoxification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Anti-Coag Monitoring
 
 
 
 
Yes
 
 


Depression
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


DVT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Chronic Pain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Violent Patients
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Alcohol Misuse
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


First Response
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



  

Local Enhanced Service
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Tayside


Care Homes (Nursing/Residential 
 
 
Yes
Yes


Care Homes (LD)
 
 
 
 


Anticipatory Care – Plan/Prevent
Yes
 
 
 


Lithium monitoring
 
 
Yes
 


Alcohol Screen / B1
 
Yes
Yes
Yes


Contraception – v LARC/Implanon
 
 
Yes
Yes


GMS Impact
 
 
Yes
 


HepC / BBV
 
 
Yes
 


Closer Working 
Yes
 
 
 


Counterweight
 
 
 
 


Hand Hygiene 
 
 
 
 


Helicobacter
 
 
 
 


HIB/MenC
 
 
Yes
 


HPV
Yes
Yes
Yes
 


Keep Well
 
 
Yes
 


MMR catch up
 
 
 
 


Ring Pessary (fitting/maintenance)
 
 
 
 


Families at Risk
 
 
 
 


Tetanus / Diphtheria / polio
 
 
 
 


Med Serv Shelthousing
 
 
 
 


Orthopaedic
 
 
 
 


Pre Clinic Testing
 
 
 
 


Drug Misusers / Shared Care
 
 
 
 


HDAT
 
 
 
 


Eating Disorders
 
 
 
 


Chronic Disease Management
 
 
 
 


Renal Anaemia
 
 
 
 


Cardiac Failure
 
 
 
 


Dermatology
 
 
 
 


MMS neonatal
 
 
 
 


Asylum Seekers
 
 
 
 


Diabetes
Yes
 
 
Yes



  

Local Enhanced Service 
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Tayside


CHD
 
 
 
 


Strokes / TIA
 
 
 
 


Multiple Sclerosis
 
 
 
 


Mumps
 
 
 
 


Pre Chemo Phlebotomy 
 
 
 
 


Breast Screening
 
 
 
 


Acute Wafarin Initiation
 
 
 
Yes


Child Protection
 
 
 
 


Home Detoxification
 
 
 
 


Anti-Coag Monitoring
 
 
 
 


Depression
Yes
 
 
 


DVT
Yes
 
 
 


Chronic Pain
Yes
 
 
 


Violent Patients
Yes
 
 
 


Alcohol Misuse
Yes
 
 
 


First Response
Yes
 
 
 



  Note: NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland Isles and NHS Western Isles have not supplied the relevant information.

National Health Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each local enhanced service in each NHS board in the last year for which information is available.

Nicola Sturgeon: The cash paid for each local enhanced service in each NHS Board in the last year for which information is available is as follows:

  Financial Year: 2009-10

  

NHS Board
NHS Ayrshire and Arran £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
187,017


HPV Schedule A
9,831


LES - LD1 H1N1 (A)
725


LES - LD10 Home Detox (W)
42,132


LES - LD11 Families at Risk (A)
9,400


LES - LD12 H Pylori Eradication (A)
63,925


LES - LD14 Hand Hygiene (A)
8,950


LES - LD15 Hepatitis B - at Risk (A)
8,460


LES - LD16 Minor Injuries (Lacerations) (A)
29,677


LES - LD17 Community Hospital (A)
160,499


LES - LD19 Provision of Specialist Dermatology (A)
57,915


LES - LD2 Ladeside Gardens (A)
7,138


LES - LD20 Provision of a Homeopathy Service (A)
40,000


LES - LD22 Referral Management (Local Care 3) (A)
12,943


LES - LD23 Keep Well Project (A)
348,940


LES - LD24 Ring Pessarys (A)
21,600


LES - LD25 PMS Enhanced Services (A)
524,324


LES - LD3 Pay Agreement (A)
324,674


LES - LD4 Vired Funds (A)
586,494


LES - LD5 Contraceptive Implants (A)
42,312


LES - LD6 Moorpark House (A)
21,680


LES - LD7 Pneumococcal at Risk (A)
8,331


LES - LD8 Canal Court (A)
6,187


LES - LD9 Girvan Locality Palliative Care (A)
4,550


Nursing Home
9,581



  

NHS Board
NHS Borders £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


LES - H1N1 SBC (B)
1,649


LES - LD Care Home (B)
3,400


LES - Management Allowance (B)
245,410


LES - Medical Supported Living (B)
6,000



  

NHS Board
NHS Dumfries and Galloway £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


LES - LD1 Pre Clinic testing (Y)
38,450


LES - LD11 Eating Disorders (Y)
560


LES - LD12 Prostate Cancer (Y)
28,880


LES - LD13 Orthopaedic (Y)
1,155


LES - LD14 High Dose Antipsychotic Therapy (Y)
1,150


LES - LD15 Significant Event Analysis (Y)
13,800


LES - LD16 Alcohol Misuse Service (Y)
45,285


LES - LD17 Referrals & Admissions (Y)
81,792


LES - LD4 Implanon Insertion (Y)
50,960


LES - LD5 Implanon Removal (Y)
20,800


LES - LD6 Diabetes (Y)
34,430


LES - LD7 Shared Care Drug Services (Y)
55,790


LES - LD8 Pneumococcal Catch-up (Y)
16,755



  

NHS Board
NHS Fife £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
261,266


LES - Contraceptive Implant (F)
36,146


LES - Drug Users (F)
41,339


LES - Near Patient Testing (F)
188,030


LES - Renal Anaemia (F)
11,942


Pneumovac - Under 65s at risk
1,756



  

NHS Board
NHS Forth Valley £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


HPV Schedule A
8,516


LES - Anti-coagulation (V)
305,860


LES - IUCD - Insertion & Annual Check (V)
165,845


LES - Minor Injuries (V)
143,802


LES - Near Patient Testing (V)
220,558


LES - Whole System working group (V)
168,883


Nursing Home
176,411



  

NHS Board
NHS Grampian £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
256,325


H1N1 - Phase2 - 1st/Single Dose
-11


HPV Schedule A
7,195


HPV Schedule B
29,139


LES - Anticipatory Care (N)
14,767


LES - Asthma (N)
12,483


LES - Dermatology (N)
43,057


LES - Drug Misuse Maintenance (N)
363,000


LES - Drug Misuse Retainer (N)
37,000


LES - Implanon Insertion (N)
151,134


LES - Implanon Removal (N)
74,081


LES - Keep Well Achievement (N)
9,090


LES - Keep Well Aspiration (N)
7,902


LES - Keep Well Engagement (N)
7,112


LES - Minor Injury Contract (N)
196,427


LES - Minor Injury Retainer (N)
68,000


LES - Neo-Natal Checks (N)
2,875


LES - Orthopaedic (N)
61,175


LES - Ring Shelf Pessary - Removal
1,325


LES - Ring Shelf Pessary - Removal & Insert (N)
68,550


LES - Violent Patient (N)
12,956


Minor Surgery - other referrals
79,108


Mumps Outbreak
3,034


Nursing Home
274,280



  

NHS Board
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Asylum Seekers
1,146,980


Better Working with GP Practices
747,489


HPV Schedule A
30,228


LES - LD10 Asylum Seekers Induction Centre (G)
27,000


LES - LD11 HF & AF Audit Contract 
12,500


LES - LD2 Homeless Talbot Centre (G)
34,293


LES - LD3 Diabetes (G)
885,946


LES - LD4 Contraceptive Implants 
89,449


LES - LD5 Stroke Contract (G)
347,354


LES - LD6 Chronic Heart Disease 
680,928


LES - LD7 Nurse Training 
2,025


LES - LD8 Multiple Sclerosis 
56,963


LES - LD9 Pre-Chemotherapy Phlebotomy 
12,903



  

NHS Board
NHS Highland £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
195,240


HPV Schedule A
14,284


LES - Depression (H)
1,040


LES - Depression Retainer (H)
15,983


LES - Diabetes (H)
1,022,217


LES - First Response (H)
16,124


LES - General Enhanced Services (H)
978,471


LES - LD7 IUCD fittings / annual review (HS)
637


LES - LD8 Insertion and removal of contraceptive implant (HS)
1,620


LES - LD9 More Specialised Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (HS)
65,233


LES - MMR Vaccination (H)
49


Nursing Home
37,083



  

NHS Board
NHS Lanarkshire £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
326,478


HPV Schedule A
38,256


LES - LD16 Alcohol Misuse Services (L)
175,100


LES - LD2 Pneumococcal Under 65 At Risk (L)
15,455


Nursing Home
574,091



  

NHS Board
NHS Lothian £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


LES - Alcohol Brief Interventions (S1)
322,910


LES - Anticipatory Care (OP Homes) (S1)
597,640


LES - Child Health Surveillance (S1)
11,995


LES - Drug Users BBV 2009/10 (S1)
25,335


LES - MMR Catch Up Programme (18-23 year olds) (S1)
1,922


LES - Minor Injuries (S1)
45,518


LES - Pandemic Flu 2009/10 (S1)
48,500


LES - Vlarc IUD/IUS Insertion (S1)
93,830


LES - Vlarc Implanon Fitting (S1)
83,728


LES - Vlarc Implanon Removal (S1)
66,946


Lithium Payment
47,587



  

NHS Board
NHS Orkney £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
6,000


Endometrial Biopsies
4,025


LES - Implanon Insertion (N)
323


LES - Implanon Insertion (R)
7,350


LES - Implanon Removal (N)
247


LES - Implanon Removal (R)
5,607



  

NHS Board
NHS Shetland £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


HPV Schedule A
50



  

NHS Board
NHS Tayside £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


Better Working with GP Practices
9,737


LES - Acute Warfarin Initiation (T)
-80


LES - Alcohol & Brief Intervention (T)
15,751


LES - NPT Stabilisation (T)
43,050


LES - QOF Plus (T)
48,000


LES - DCHP - CHD Program (T)
32,014


LES - DCHP - Investment in Primary Care (T)
24,969


LES - P&KCHP - Investment in Primary Care - Kinross (T)
2,051


LES - P&KCHP - Investment in Primary Care - NW Perthsire (T)
1,593


LES - P&KCHP - Investment in Primary Care - Perth City (T)
4,249


LES - P&KCHP - Investment in Primary Care - Strathearn (T)
2,376


LES - P&KCHP - Investment in Primary Care - Strathmore (T)
2,969



  

NHS Board
NHS Western Isles £


Local Enhanced Services:
 


LES - LD10 Home Detox (W)
48,980


LES - LD11 Child Protection (W)
20,580


LES - LD4 Learning disability 17c (W)
143,661


LES - LD6 Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (W)
30,095


LES - LD9 Cardiac Rehab Clinic (W)
23,854



  Notes:

  Negative figures are recoveries of previous overpayments.

  This information is supplied by Practitioner Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland and is as per payments administered by them.

  NHS boards may have paid additional sums to other providers, or included in payments to S17C and S2C practices. Such sums are not included in the table.

Planning

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances ministers can call in a planning application regarding the demolition of a listed building.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers can call in a planning application regarding the demolition of a listed building when Historic Scotland has not requested such action.

Fiona Hyslop: It is open to Scottish ministers to call-in any planning or listed building consent application they wish regardless of whether Historic Scotland has recommended this course of action. Most cases are, however, dealt with by Historic Scotland on Scottish ministers’ behalf.

  An application to demolish a listed building would be made under the terms of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997. If minded to grant consent for an application the planning authority must notify it to Historic Scotland (acting for Scottish ministers). Scottish ministers must then decide whether they wish to call-in the application for their own decision.

Police

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-39172 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 February 2011, what it anticipates the reductions in police staff numbers will be in each of the next four years.

Kenny MacAskill: Police staff numbers are a matter for police authorities and chief constables.

Police

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-39172 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 February 2011, how it will ensure that any reductions in police staff numbers do not impact on frontline policing.

Kenny MacAskill: It is for chief constables to ensure the operational effectiveness of their force and protect frontline policing in their communities by making best use of the resources available to them.

Police

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what average length of time it takes the Scottish Police Service to undertake a toxicology report.

Kenny MacAskill: The processing time for toxicology analysis carried out by the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) on behalf of Scotland’s police forces varies from case to case, and depends on a number of factors. These include whether the analysis is for criminal investigations or post-mortem cases, the level of screening required and the range of substances identified from a sample.

  The SPSA has provided average turnaround times for toxicology cases for the calendar year 2010. These are:

  Post-mortem - 88 days from receipt at the SPSA laboratory to final report

  Criminal cases (excluding drink driving) - 80 days

  Criminal cases (drink driving) - 19 days.

  As part of an ongoing modernisation programme at SPSA, the authority is reviewing all of its standard operation procedures and staff ratios in all disciplines and this will have a positive impact on the time taken for key analysis work.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to prison rules since May 2007 to ensure that the most effective contact is sustained between parents and children.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  There have been no changes to the prison rules since May 2007 relating to effective contact between parents and children.

  SPS recognises the importance of family contact and each prison has a family contact officer whose role is to support the needs of prisoners' families and children, by enhancing family contact and offering support and guidance to relatives. This can include making arrangements for family visits. In addition, the SPS currently provides financial support to Families Outside to provide information through the Scottish Prisoners' Family Helpline.

  SPS is currently reviewing its good practice guidelines for working with children and families of prisoners to ensure that the policy supports the needs of families.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements it has introduced in relation to the development or refurbishment of prison facilities to ensure that the needs and rights of children are taken into account.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  In respect of the needs and rights of children in Scottish prisons, under Scottish law children, defined as being under the age of 16, are no longer sent to prison with effect from the enactment of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act in December 2010.

  In terms of the United Nations definition, children are defined as being under 18. SPS has allocated Blair House at HMYOI Polmont as accommodation to house convicted male young offenders under the age of 18. Blair House offers a specific regime to meet the needs and rights of this group.

  With regard to children visiting SPS establishments, the SPS, in designing the specification for operational procedures in new and redeveloped prisons, takes into consideration the aims of the SPS Children and Families Strategy. For example, the new public sector prison at Low Moss, which is due to open in 2012, will include in its visit facility an internal children’s play area and an area outwith the confines of the main visit area to accommodate family visits.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that a visitor centre separate from formal visitor facilities in prisons is provided for support before and after formal visits.

Kenny MacAskill: The current focus of the Scottish Prison Service is on improving the facilities within prisons to support contact between prisoners and their families, and enable prisoners to engage with those services they will require on release. The Scottish Government is actively considering how we can build on the success of visitor centres at HMP Perth and HMP Edinburgh, with a particular focus on how they can offer opportunities for a number of statutory and voluntary agencies to reach people who would benefit from support.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many family contact development officers or equivalent there are in each prison.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  There are currently 69 family contact officers (FCOs) working in prisons in Scotland. The FCO role is a key element of the Scottish Prison Service's commitment to providing services to the families of prisoners to help support them during their relative’s time in custody.

Procurement

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the compliance of (a) its directorates, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies with the UK Government’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber’s criteria for sourcing sustainable timber.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has issued its own guidance on procurement policy relating to timber and timber related products. The guidance recommends that public procurement officials should specify in orders and contracts that suppliers must provide evidence that timber and timber products have been lawfully obtained from forests or plantations that are being sustainably managed. It explains which certification schemes can be regarded as evidence in this respect whilst making clear that other evidence of sustainability should also be allowed. It also draws attention to the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) as a source of advice for assessing evidence for timber which is not part of one of those certification schemes.

  The Scottish Government has not carried out any assessment of how the wider public sector in Scotland complies with the criteria set out by CPET.

Procurement

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the proportion of wood-based products procured by (a) it and (b) its agencies in the last 12 months that come from (i) Forest Stewardship Council-certified, (ii) Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme-certified, (iii) other certified and (iv) non-certified sources.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government first issued guidance to public bodies in Scotland on the policy for procurement of timber and timber products in 2004. A further policy update was issued in 2005. This update gave details of four approved timber schemes, including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes, that can provide the necessary assurances that timber purchased has been legally harvested from sustainably managed forests.

  This policy note also drew attention to the central point of expertise on timber which offers specialist advice on assessment of whether timber which is not part of the main certification schemes can be regarded as legally logged from sustainably managed forests.

  In the Scottish Government, all timber products procured on behalf of its Facilities and Estate Services Division, are Forest Stewardship Council certified and the contractor holds evidence to this effect.

  Scottish Government agencies are required to follow the guidance referred to above when procuring timber and timber products but no assessment has been made by the Scottish Government in the last 12 months of the relative proportion of FSC, PEFC, other certified or non-certified sources supplied.

Procurement

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to update the procurement policy note on timber and timber products on its website.

John Swinney: The Procurement Policy Note on timber and timber products on the Scottish Government website recommends that public procurement officials should specify in orders and contracts that suppliers must provide evidence that timber and timber products have been lawfully obtained from forests or plantations that are being sustainably managed. The policy note advises which certification schemes can be accepted as fulfilling these requirements whilst making clear that other evidence of sustainability should also be allowed.

  The Scottish and UK Governments are currently in discussions about timber certification procedures and are also developing criteria to ensure that biomass used to generate electricity under the Renewable Obligation, and heat under the forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive, comes from sustainable sources.

  Once these discussions have been concluded, the Scottish Government will consider whether the current guidance requires to be updated.

Rail Services

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with UK transport ministers and officials anent the introduction of financial penalties in respect of train operators failing to deal with (a) overcrowding and (b) dirty trains.

Keith Brown: Scottish ministers are responsible for monitoring and managing the ScotRail Franchise Agreement. The current franchise agreement includes a penalty regime for (a) operators failing to provide the planned capacity on services and (b) a service quality incentive regime which includes monitoring the cleanliness of trains and fails the operator where the specified standards are not met. Therefore there have been no discussions with UK transport ministers on these matters.

Road Accidents

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents were attributed to potholes and damaged road surfaces in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 and have been in 2010-11, broken down by local authority area.

Keith Brown: Transport Scotland does not hold data for all accidents. However, the following table shows the number of injury road accidents reported to the police where a poor or defective road surface was recorded as one of the contributory factors.

  

Local Authority
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Aberdeen City
 4 
 1 
 1 


Aberdeenshire
 10 
 6 
 6 


Angus
 3 
 1 
 4 


Argyll and Bute
 1 
 7 
 5 


Clackmannanshire
 - 
 - 
 3 


Dumfries and Galloway
 3 
 - 
 4 


Dundee City
 2 
 - 
 - 


East Ayrshire
 1 
 3 
 1 


East Dunbartonshire
 - 
 1 
 2 


East Lothian
 - 
 1 
 - 


East Renfrewshire
 - 
 - 
 1 


Edinburgh, City of
 3 
 3 
 - 


Eilean Siar
 - 
 1 
 2 


Falkirk
 2 
 2 
 2 


Fife
 8 
 2 
 - 


Glasgow City
 4 
 6 
 7 


Highland
 10 
 5 
 8 


Inverclyde
 1 
 - 
 - 


Midlothian
 - 
 - 
 1 


Moray
 3 
 1 
 1 


North Ayrshire
 3 
 1 
 2 


North Lanarkshire
 1 
 6 
 2 


Orkney Islands
 1 
 - 
 - 


Perth and Kinross
 3 
 1 
 3 


Renfrewshire
 4 
 2 
 1 


Scottish Borders
 - 
 1 
 2 


South Ayrshire
3
0
2


South Lanarkshire
10
12
2


Stirling
9
13
5


West Dunbartonshire
0
2
0


West Lothian
3
1
1


Total
92
79
68

Roads

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given to the impact on people in Moodiesburn and the surrounding communities of the opening of the new Moodiesburn bypass.

Keith Brown: We considered that the transfer of 60% to 70% of the traffic from the existing A80 onto the new Moodiesburn Bypass would deliver significant environmental and safety benefits for the people of Moodiesburn and surrounding communities.

Scottish Government Publications

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will publish Police Officer Quarterly Strength Statistics Scotland , 31 December 2010.

Kenny MacAskill: The statistical bulletin Police Officer Quarterly Strength Statistics Scotland, 31 December 2010, was published by the Scottish Government on 1 March 2011, and is available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PublicationPoliceStrength

  The dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.

Scottish Government Publications

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will publish Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2005/06 to 2009/10 .

Kenny MacAskill: The statistical bulletin Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2004-05 to 2009-10 , will be published by the Scottish Government on 29 March 2011, and will be available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubRacistIncidents.

  The dates of all Scottish Government official and national statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.

Scottish Government Publications

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will publish Firearm Certificates Statistics, Scotland, 2010 .

Kenny MacAskill: The statistical bulletin, Firearm Certificates Statistics, Scotland, 2010 , is due to be published by the Scottish Government in May 2011, and will be available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubFirearmCertificates.

  The dates of all Scottish Government official and national statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.

Transport

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-38040, S3W-38041 and S3W-38607 by Keith Brown on 15 and 16 December 2010 and 2 February 2011 respectively, at what point the iterative process for defining the timeline of the transport plan for the 2014 Ryder Cup will be concluded.

Keith Brown: The development of the plan will continue up to the start of the event. A review of the plan in operation will be carried out during the practice days to determine whether any final refinements are required.

Transport

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties can be applied to an authorised undertaker who breaches the limits of deviation set out in the Parliamentary plans of the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006.

Keith Brown: The Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006 provides a package of powers to enable the authorised undertaker, Transport Scotland, to deliver the Borders Railway project. The act does not however preclude the submission of planning applications to permit alternative development and no penalties for proceeding with development in accordance with such planning permission are applicable.

Transport

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of the limits of deviation set out in the Parliamentary plans of the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006 it expects to occur and where.

Keith Brown: It is not expected that works will be undertaken outwith the Limits of Deviation (LOD), unless they provide value for money for the public purse, and following consultation with affected parties specific to that solution. Currently, the potential works that may occur outwith the LOD are the Falahill alternative road and rail alignment proposal, and a local car parking arrangement and access at Eskbank station, however this is still to be finalised.

Transport

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Falahill alternative road and rail alignment proposal complies with the stipulated limits of deviation for that area set out in the Parliamentary plans of the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006.

Keith Brown: Part of the Falahill alternative road and rail alignment lies outwith the Limits of Deviation (LOD). I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39815 on 3 March 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Voluntary Sector

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether members of committees of voluntary sector organisations such as hall committees can be held financially liable for debts incurred by the running of the organisation and, if so, what safeguards can be put in place to protect volunteers.

John Swinney: The legal form of an organisation will determine who is financially liable.

  Subject to parliamentary process, we expect the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to be introduced for new charities from 1 April 2011. This is a new form of corporate body, exclusively for charities, which provides the benefits of incorporation without the requirement also to register with Companies House (or the Financial Standards Authority). The members of a SCIO would not be liable to contribute financially to its debts on dissolution.

  In addition, the Scottish Law Commission recently recommended that the law on unincorporated association be reviewed, to allow unincorporated associations to acquire legal personality. This may remove some of the exposure to financial liability that committee members may currently have, as well as other problems caused by lack of legal personality. As the matter is reserved, this would require United Kingdom legislation.